Florida congressman calls for investigation after 31 sloths die at planned attraction

A Florida congressman is calling for a federal investigation into Sloth World, a planned tourist attraction in Orlando, after 31 sloths died in the facility's care before the venue even opened to the public.

Rep. Maxwell Frost said in a statement that he has asked the Secretary of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to launch an immediate investigation into the facility. "Before it even opened, Sloth World saw 31 sloths die after being kept in unsafe conditions," Frost said. "I've called on the Secretary of Agriculture and USDA to investigate Sloth World, protect any surviving sloths, and prevent more from being brought in."

According to a report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the 31 sloths died between December 2024 and February 2025 while being held in a storage warehouse. The animals had been procured from Peru and Guyana by the attraction's owners for display at the facility.

The warehouse where the sloths were kept had no water or power of its own, according to statements made to inspectors by the facility's then-owner, Peter Bandre. Temporary heaters used to maintain conditions for the animals were powered by extension cables run from a neighboring building. Twenty-one two-toed sloths from Guyana died after the heaters failed, resulting in what Bandre described to inspectors as a "cold stun" event.

Ten additional sloths arrived in a shipment from Peru. Two were found dead upon arrival, while the remaining eight died after exhibiting what officials described as "poor health issues" and appearing emaciated.

Frost's call for a federal investigation comes as state wildlife officials continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the conditions at the facility ahead of its planned public opening.